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guidelines published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Victims, <br />immediate family members of victims and claimants are defined in Article 56.32 of the Code of <br />Criminal Procedure. <br />11.11.2 Eligibility Screening. GRANTEE shall conduct eligibility screening for each individual <br />seeking victim-related civil legal services. GRANTEE agrees to use the intake screening form <br />supplied by the OAG. A copy of all intake screening forms shall be maintained by GRANTEE in a <br />central location and shall be made available to the OAG or any party the OAG determines should <br />have access to the documents at any reasonable time. <br />11.11.3 No Cases Resulting in Fees. OVAG funds to organizations to provide legal services to the <br />victims of crime, immediate family members or claimants in civil matters may not be used for any <br />case or matter that, if undertaken on behalf of an indigent person by an attorney in private practice, <br />might reasonably be expected to result in payment of a fee for legal services from an award to a <br />client from public funds, or from the opposing party. <br />The above provisions of shall not be applicable in any case where the organization receiving funds <br />granted by the Foundation determines in good faith that the indigent person seeking legal assistance <br />has made reasonable efforts to obtain the services of an attorney in private practice for the particular <br />matter (including contacting attorneys in private practice in the county of residence of the indigent <br />person who normally accept cases of a similar nature), and has been unable to obtain such services <br />because the potential fee is inadequate, is likely to be uncollectible, would substantially consume any <br />recovery by the client, or because of any other reason which the organization, acting in good faith, <br />believes prevents the client from obtaining the services of a private attorney. <br />11.11.4 Other Restrictions. OVAG funds shall not be used to directly fund class action suits, <br />lawsuits against governmental entities, or lobbying for or against any candidate or issue. <br />OVAG funds may be used to support a lawsuit brought by an individual, solely on behalf of the <br />individual or the individual's dependent or ward, to compel a governmental entity to provide benefits <br />that the individual or the individual's dependent or ward is expressly eligible to receive, by statute or <br />regulation, including social security benefits, temporary assistance to needy families, financial <br />assistance under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, food stamps, special education for persons <br />with disabilities, Medicare, Medicaid, subsidized or public housing, and other economic, shelter or <br />medical benefits provided by a government directly to an indigent individual, but not to support a <br />claim for actual or punitive damages. <br />11.11.5 Cooperation and Collaboration. GRANTEE will cooperate and collaborate in their <br />service areas with (a) all other organizations providing civil legal services to the indigent, (b) the <br />local organized bar, (c) relevant social and human service organizations, (d) relevant governmental <br />agencies, and (e) other organizations that specifically provide victim related services. <br />VCLG Contract FYI 0 and FYI I <br />Page 14 of 21